Milwaukee Jewish Population Study 1964-1965

Jewish population of Milwaukee estimated to be approximately 23,000 based on a census of the community based mostly on Jewish community lists with some supplementation of non-listed households during the interview process when provided by survey respondents.

Report notes that not all Jewish persons in the community would be included in the census. Thus, including Jewish persons temporarily away from Milwaukee might increase the estimate to 24,000.

Data results reported are based on the 23,000 Jewish person estimate. Report is described as a combination of two volumes. "The first volume " Preliminary Report" was originally mimeographed and received limited distribution. The second part of the report focuses on checking the accuracy of the first phase of the study by an area-based probability sampling of the Jewish Community. As noted in that s e c t i o n of this report, the results of the census were proved to be correct.

"The census located 7,540 households containing 22,625 individuals. However only minimal information on age, sex, and household relationship was ascertained in the course of this census. The more meaningful population information was not asked. Further, at the conclusion of the census step it still had not been determined whether every family had been located of whether additional families could be uncovered by more effort."
"Hence the second phase of the study was planned and carried out. The second phase consisted of an area probability sample superimposed on the list of households as determined by the census."
"First, many questions concerning social and economic characteristics of the Milwaukee Jewish Population were asked. Second, the sample carried a built-in checking procedure to determine whether the census had located every household, and if not to determine how many had been 'missed' in the census."
"One of the important reasons for undertaking the study in the first place was to find out how many Jewish persons lived in the Milwaukee area. No prior study existed and the commonly used figure of 30,000 persons had been used for such a long time that no one could remember exactly how it was derived or who suggested it."
"As reported before the census showed a population of 22,625 persons. This was regarded as a minimum figure for it was assumed that the area probability sample would turn up additional households. This did not happen. No new households were found in the area probability sample. It should be pointed out that the area probability sample was based on a randomly drawn list of households, without prior knowledge of either their Jewishness or whether they were in the census listing."